Don’t Panic! No cases of Pneumonic Plague in New Jersey. Pneumonic Plague is caused by a Yersinia pestis bacteria. As of this writing there are no or ZERO reported cases or spread in New Jersey.

WHO already made statements about this but is just a confirmation that the disease really exists.

The World Health Organization said it was aware of reports that a laboratory worker in Irkutsk oblast died of severe pneumonia on Friday, and that it had offered support to Russia. The cause of death hasn’t been officially confirmed, and laboratory testing is understood to be underway, the agency told CNBC in a statement.

“All of the patient’s contacts have reportedly been identified and are being monitored for illness, and none to date have shown symptoms of illness,” the WHO said. – CNBC

Pneumonic Plague Cases in New Jersey

If you are curious, Pneumonic plague is a rare, severe lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is widely recognized by scientists as the most dangerous form of plague because it is the only type that can be transmitted directly from person to person.

Take note that Yersinia pestis is a bacterium not a virus! It transmits by contact and not by air unlike Covid 19 a years ago.

IMMEDIATELY REPORTABLE DISEASE
Per N.J.A.C. 8:57, healthcare providers and administrators shall immediately report by
telephone confirmed and suspected cases of plague to the health officer of the
jurisdiction where the ill or infected person lives, or if unknown, wherein the diagnosis is
made. The health officer (or designee) must immediately institute the control
measures listed below in section 6, “Controlling Further Spread,” regardless of
weekend, holiday, or evening schedules. A directory of local health departments in New
Jersey is available at http://www.state.nj.us/health/lh/directory/lhdselectcounty.shtml
If the health officer is unavailable, the healthcare provider or administrator shall make
the report to the Department by telephone to 609.826.5964, between 8:00 A.M. and
5:00 P.M. on non-holiday weekdays or to 609.392.2020 during all other days and hours.

 

Pneumonic plague vs Pneumonia

Never be misled by the terms Pneumonic with Pneumonia! They sound the same but they differ with the cause!

Pneumonic Plague is due only by one specific bacterium: Yersinia pestis (the same pathogen behind the Black Death)

Meanwhile, Pneumonia is caused by many different bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae), viruses (flu, COVID-19, RSV), or fungi)

What is Yersinia pestis bacterium

To be honest this bacterium is quite complicated. National Library of Medicine dissected and elaborated it by way of transmissions below:

Transmission from one host to another relies mainly on infected flea bites, inducing typical painful, enlarged lymph nodes referred to as buboes, followed by septicemic dissemination of the pathogen. In contrast, droplet inhalation after close contact with infected mammals induces primary pneumonic plague. Finally, the rarely reported consumption of contaminated raw meat causes pharyngeal and gastrointestinal plague. – National Library of Medicine

However, the one that trends now is about the Pneumonic Plague so don’t stress yourself to figure out the others. Try to look at the table below for your reference.

Basically, Yersinia pestis is a bacterial infection. CDC said that person-to-person spread of pneumonic plague occurs through close-range respiratory droplets, not fine airborne aerosols! CDC

By looking at the table above, you will notice that there are other illnesses or diseases that Yersinia pestis caused.

Major Clinical Forms are Bubonic Plague and Septicemic Plague

Rare and Specialized Forms are Plague Pharyngitis, Plague Meningitis, Ocular Plague, Cutaneous Plague, and Pestis Minor

 

Why is there a “plague” in Pneumonic Plague?

You may wonder why they used that word Plague which sounds scary like the ten plagues written in the bible! Try to read the description from the World Health Organization below.

Historically, plague was responsible for widespread pandemics with high mortality. It was known as the “Black Death” during the fourteenth century, causing more than 50 million deaths in Europe.Nowadays, plague is easily treated with antibiotics and the use of standard precautions to prevent acquiring infection. WHO

To give you an idea, it has been used thousands of years ago! You can read it further in Meriam Webster

Ancient Greece: Plēgē = A physical punch, blow, or wound.

Ancient Rome: Plaga = A strike, a heavy blow, or a divine disaster.

1300s Europe: Plague = Specifically used for deadly, widespread infectious diseases (like the Black Death).

 

Etymonline has its own explanation about this controversial word!

Don’t Panic! No cases of Pneumonic Plague in New Jersey by a Yersinia pestis

As of this writing New Jersey is monitoring this disease or infection. But again, there are no cases yet in NJ!

If your kids, teens, and adults have anxiety about this go to any urgent care near you for clarifications! Never be afraid nor worry

TIPS AND WARNINGS:

• Pneumonic plague is caused by a bacterium and not by a virus!
• Prevention is better than cure so stay clean or sanitized! Wear mask in overly crowded areas.
• No vaccine yet for this and still under development!
• For your convenience and peace of mind go to any urgent care nearby and ask for consultations if you have the symptoms! It is a complicated disease so let your doctor assess you!
• There is no outbreak in New Jersey so do not panic!
• The word “plague” is used in this context because the disease is caused by Yersinia pestis, the exact same bacterium responsible for the historical “Black Death” and bubonic plague!
• It is not like COVID-19! It has no potential to cause a runaway global pandemic!
• Pneumonic plague is different with Pneumonia! You can read further the symptoms of Pneumonia for your reference.
• If you need more information on how bacteria spread in New Jersey read it!